Berniece and George Tillman Sr. pose with their son Hollywood writer, producer and director George Tillman, Jr. at a reception in his honor prior to screening of his latest movie “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete” at the fifth annual Milwaukee Film Festival.

Explaining her son’s extraordinary success Mrs. Tillman says, “It’s all by the grace of God. My husband and I taught our children to do their best, put their all into whatever they do and always be respectful of their teachers. We tell George especially no matter what you do, just keep your standards. Whatever you get involved in should have meaning and somebody should learn from it.” ​

Honoring his parents’ advice, Tillman has evolved into one of the elite group of Hollywood producers. His string of commercially successful movies is attributed to his accurate portrayal of the complexity and flavor of the Black experience in America. A supporting cast of A-list thespians in the “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete” include Academy Award and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson, Anthony Mackie, Jeffrey Wright and Jordin Sparks. It will be released the in select theaters across the country on October 11. Tillman’s catalog includes: “Soul Food,” a family drama, “Men of Honor,” “Barbershop,” “Beauty Shop” and the biopic “Notorious.”